Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-06-09
THE BLUE HENS CHICKENS.
An Old Fcllow,Wh Was Much Taken
With Something New I'm the
Chicken Line.

4
of his store. Look thar the woman
repeated, pointing at the eggs.
They air new wrinkle on my HON,
said the old fellow, taking up one of the
eggs and examining 1t. These here,
he added, addressing the grocer who
approached, muster been laid by one
NY the ole blue hens chickens.
'They are descendants from the old
blue hen, sure enough the grocer re-
piled, who showed an accommodating
quickness to tell lie, either through
courtesy or with an eye to business.
You don't say So
Yes, sir, and bought them for Mr.,
Garland, who sent me word some time
ago to get him few if l possibly
could
Wall, Gus ought to know what good
chickens air.
'IIe undoubtedly does.'
Wall, I've heard about the old blue
hens chickens all my life, but this Is
the fust time ever seed any Nv the
aigs.'
They are not very plentiful now,
said the grocer. In fact they are
brought up by the agents of monopolies
and sent north for the use of rich rail-
road men,
The chickens. reckon, lay over the
common run of fowls
AS much, sir,as day lays over night.
What special advantage have they
got p
We'll, they lay three times day, for
one thing
Now, look here, you don't mean
that
Il reckon he do, pap the woman de-
clared. Il know in reason that he do,
for Aunt Caroline Welsh that had some
in Moth Kliny, told me jest befo' she
die6 that they wuz the outlayenist
things she ever seed, an says she. 'Ev-
erline. do b'leve that the aigs is fresh
er than the aigs Nv these here common
chickens
She was right said the grocer. Mr..
Garland tells me that the eggs will keep
tor years without spelling, but he add
ed, laughingly, if he don't mind he will
find that they don't keep so well after
all, for if he dosen't come after them
pretty soon I'll sell them. A business
man can't afford to let his money lie
idle, you know
That's a fact,' the farmer replied
'Now, what mout they he wurth p
We'll, hardly know. Where do you
live p
'On Saline river, about two days ride
from here
DO you come 20 town very often p
'Fust time l wuZ ever here
Il thought that If you came to town
very often | might engage you to bring
me a lot of the chickens when they
hatch. Tell you what III do. I'll let
you have all six of them fer sixty
cents
Amt that putty heavy price p
oh, no, pap said the woman. Jest
think NY chickens that lay aigs-fresh
ones at tEat-three times day
'All right said the old fellow, haul
Ing out the toe of an old sock and shak-
ing few dimes from it 'I'll take 'em.
Shore they'll hatch p
Hatch Why you can cover them
up with an old straw hat and they'll
hatch. Much obliged. Well, call a.
GAIN
When the grocer went back into the
store, he slapped himself, laughed up
roarously and then said
st may be wrong to cheat this way,
but don't believe we are called upon
to have sympathy for such ignorant
people; and, besides, he'd cheat me in a
minute if he could
Several weeks later an old fellow
drove up to the grocery store and ask
ed a man who came out to the curb
stone if he wanted to buy any guinea
chickens. Fresh as they ken be an al
ready cleaned said the old fellow.
what do you ask for them p
wall. l don't know whut they air
wuth. You sec they air mighty big
ones
Yes, 1 see. How many have you
got p
Fifteen
There is not much sale for guineas.'
'They ought to be worth ten cents a
piece, oughtent they p
The grocer, with shrewd hesitancy,
replied: L don't know. Well, drive
round to the back door and put them
out
Immediately after receiving his mon
ey the old fellow drove down town, and
with a woman who seemed to be his
wife, was standing on street corner,
when the grocer who had bought the
guineas rushed up and exclaimed
you are a lying wolf, that's what
you are y
What's the matter p
you sold me lot of buZzards, you
old wretch, and am going to have you
arrested if you don't give me back my
money. One Of my best customers
bought one and then, discovering what
it was, struck me oyer the head with it
and then left the store
WY, pap, that was too bad, want
it p said the woman.
II recognize you now,' said the gro
Ger. stepping back.
sYas,' said the old fellow, 'an-but
don't be in hurry. Didn't know the
blue hens chickens when yoi seed 'em.
eh ? WY thought you knowd all a
l>or& tho hroad Cav whnppVpr Won